The Presidio Trust Board of Directors has met to
reaffirm its strong commitment to accomplishing an outcome in the Mid-Crissy
area that will protect the park and bring long-term benefit to the Presidio and
its visitors.There is no question that
the Crissy Field area is one of the most spectacular sites in the world, and
the Board appreciates the public outpouring of interest regarding its
future.

The Board believes that there is tremendous thought, creativity,
and potential in the proposals offered by the three finalists.The Board also understands that it holds the
option of not necessarily selecting any team at this point.Such is the importance of the site that we
take seriously our duty to do right by it, even if that means waiting. That said, we are very enthusiastic about the
proposals, and appreciate the wonderful work that has gone into them, the
generosity behind them, and the promise they hold for enhancing the Presidio.

We have sought to engage in a fair and open public process –
from the development of the Mid-Crissy design guidelines, to the release, in
November 2012, of the Request for Concept Proposals and the subsequent Request
for Proposals.In the interest of
transparency, the Board would like to share its observations at this point in
the process.

The Board
would like to officially offer each team an additional opportunity to revise
its proposal in response to feedback received from the public, the Board, and
others.

As we near a decision on the future of the Mid-Crissy site,
the Board is focused on three key areas:achieving program clarity; ensuring the building’s compatibility with
the Presidio; and understanding how economic viability will be assured.

The Bridge/Sustainability Institute:An amazing architectural group has teamed up with a compelling
programmatic visionary around the issues of sustainability.We agree with the proponents that
sustainability is “perhaps the defining issue of our time,” and appreciate the
blending of the physical building and the program in an effort to advance a
holistic understanding of sustainability.We also see a clear connection between the sustainability issue and our
work at the Presidio – in environmental restoration, historic preservation,
environmental education, and financial sustainability.We are concerned, however, about the
institutional capacity of the team to, without significant funds or fundraising
help from the Trust, deliver and sustain the project financially.We encourage the WRNS/Chora team to bring
more clarity to the question of who might fund the building and early
programming, and what institution will be created to operate and sustain the
Bridge.While the building is “light on
the land,” it is also too large and we urge some consolidation of the building
program.

Lucas Cultural Arts Museum (LCAM):The Board recognizes and appreciates both the generosity and opportunity
represented in George Lucas’s offer to build a cultural arts museum in the
Presidio.We are enthusiastic about the
state-of-the-art exhibits, strong community programming, and notable art
collection that is offered in the proposal.The Trust is particularly excited about the potential of exceptional
educational programming to draw diverse audiences to the museum and the greater
Presidio.Despite this, we have
significant issues with the proposed building – its massing and height, and its
architectural style – and believe it should be redesigned to be more compatible
with the Presidio. We would also like to
understand more fully the potential role of the Trust in partnership with LCAM,
particularly in creating programmatic connections that would add value to other
park programs throughout the Presidio.

Presidio Exchange (PX):There is no question about the level of expertise, design excellence and
community engagement that the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy brings to
each project it undertakes.The
Presidio, and the broader Golden Gate National Recreation Area, is replete with
examples of the Conservancy’s good work and of its ethos of partnership in the
public interest.The Conservancy’s
approach to programming at the PX – intended to be varied, flexible and
relevant over time to park audiences – is fascinating.Yet, these attributes also make it harder to
understand what the PX is truly striving for programmatically.What is the master narrative?Is there an overall theme, or focus, that can
be better articulated so that the Trust will understand how PX programming will
differ from/complement existing or planned programs, such as the Presidio
Visitor Center, Heritage Center, and Crissy Field Center?

We will continue our conversations with each of the teams,
and have asked them to come back to us with revisions to their proposals by
January 17, 2014. At that time, we will
post any revisions on the Trust website and will hold a
public meeting of the Board of Directors. The Board will not make a decision about the
future direction for the Mid-Crissy site until after the public meeting. Throughout this time period, we welcome public comments via email,
mail, or in person at the public meeting.